Road Tax Exempted for Hybrid Vehicles: Allahabad HC Orders Refund Without Interest Post-Govt Policy...

The Allahabad High Court has ordered the refund of road tax collected from the owner of a hybrid vehicle, following a shift in the government's policy. The Uttar Pradesh government had introduced a policy to provide a road tax exemption for electric and hybrid vehicles to promote cleaner mobility. The petitioner had purchased a hybrid vehicle but was made to pay the road tax. The High Court, taking note of the government's own policy, ruled that the petitioner was entitled to the exemption. It has directed the transport authorities to refund the road tax amount that was collected. However, the court has specified that the refund will be made without any interest. This judgment ensures that the benefit of a government policy reaches the intended beneficiaries and corrects an administrative error.